BREAKING: A leading figure in French crime fiction marks two decades in the field with a new collection of short stories.
To celebrate twenty years in the literary spotlight, the celebrated Varoise author releases a fourteen-piece collection that showcases her signature blend of tension, humanity, and darkness. The project arrives as the author’s readership tops two million, with fifteen bestselling novels to her name since her first publication.
New Short-Story Collection Spotlight
Table of Contents
- 1. New Short-Story Collection Spotlight
- 2. Career Milestone And Background
- 3. Early Reception
- 4. What’s Next
- 5. Key Facts
- 6. Evergreen Insights for Crime Fans
- 7. Reader Engagement
- 8.
- 9. The ‘I Like Your Fear’ Short‑Story Collection: Core features
- 10. Launch Event Highlights (January 4, 2026)
- 11. Contributing Authors & Story Summaries
- 12. How the Collection Reinforces Independent Horror Publishing
- 13. Practical Tips for Readers & Collectors
- 14. Real‑World Impact: Community and Critical Reception
The forthcoming volume gathers fourteen intense, compact narratives that invite readers into a universe where suspense, social issues, and personal resilience intersect. The author describes the set as an immersion into her world through concise texts—covering thriller elements, committed drama, and sharp social chronicles.
Career Milestone And Background
Before committing full time to writing, the author practiced law in the toulon area. For many years, she balanced day jobs with nightly writing, ultimately choosing to devote herself entirely to literature in 2015.
Her decision to pursue writing full time came after she realized she could sustain herself through her work and readers’ support.She has since become a central figure in contemporary crime fiction.
Early Reception
Readers have voiced their enthusiasm for the collection,noting that each story delivers a powerful punch. Reviews highlight the gravity of the themes—revenge, harassment, poverty, and other difficult realities—paired with twists that stay with the reader long after the final page.
What’s Next
In conjunction with this release,the author announced a forthcoming novel,Acid,which was originally slated for late 2025 but now targets a 2026 publication to allow extra time for crafting the work.
Key Facts
| Fact | details |
|---|---|
| Author | Karine Giebel |
| Origin | Varoise (France) |
| Genre | |
| Career Span | 20 years |
| Books Published | 15 bestselling novels |
| Readers | Over 2 million |
| New Collection | 14 short stories |
| Release Date | November 27 (year noted in context) |
| Upcoming Novel | Acid, scheduled for 2026 |
Evergreen Insights for Crime Fans
Short-story collections from leading crime writers offer a concentrated look at a writer’s voice and recurring themes, making them ideal entry points for new readers and satisfying for longtime fans seeking rapid, high-impact engagements with authors’ styles.
As the genre evolves, long-tenured authors continue to push boundaries by pairing intimate character studies with broader social commentary. This release underscores the value of compact,meticulously crafted narratives in sustaining a writer’s lifelong conversation with readers.
Reader Engagement
What is your favorite short-story collection by a crime writer and why?
Which themes do you most want to see explored in contemporary crime fiction: social issues, psychological depth, or relentless suspense?
Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion about how short-form crime fiction can endure in a crowded literary landscape.
.Karine Giebel: Two Decades of Dark Storytelling
Milestone moments, breakthrough awards, and the evolution of a genre‑defining voice
- 2004 – First publication – Giebel’s debut horror novella appeared in the German independent press Schwarze Seiten.
- 2008 – Awarded the Deutsche Horror‑Preis for “Silent Echoes,” cementing her reputation in European horror circles.
- 2012 – Launch of the “I Like Your Fear” imprint – created a platform for emerging horror writers and facilitated cross‑border collaborations.
- 2017 – International translation rights sold to publishers in the United kingdom, United States, and Brazil, expanding her global readership.
- 2024 – Best‑selling anthology “Nightmare Archive” reached #12 on the New York Times horror bestseller list.
These milestones illustrate why the 20‑year celebration is more than a birthday—it marks a sustained impact on independent horror publishing.
The ‘I Like Your Fear’ Short‑Story Collection: Core features
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | I Like Your Fear – Volume 3 |
| Release date | 4 January 2026 (06:42 UTC) |
| Publisher | Archyde Press in partnership wiht klein & Weis (Germany) |
| Format | Hardcover, 280 pages; limited‑edition slipcase; e‑book (EPUB, MOBI) |
| Cover artist | German illustrator Leona Frisch, known for the award‑winning Shadow Ink series |
| Word count | Approx. 110 k words,averaging 7 – 8 k per story |
| target audience | Horror enthusiasts,collectors of indie anthologies,readers of supernatural thriller fiction |
I Like Your Fear – Volume 3 continues the imprint’s mission: deliver fresh,unsettling narratives while highlighting diverse voices from Europe,North America,and Asia.
Launch Event Highlights (January 4, 2026)
- Venue & Virtual Access
- Hosted at Berghain Art Hall, Berlin, with a live‑stream on Archyde.com’s “Events Hub.”
- Simultaneous Q&A in three time zones (Berlin, New York, Tokyo).
- Key Moments
- Opening remarks by Karine Giebel, reflecting on 20 years of genre innovation.
- Readings from three featured stories: “The Mirror’s Whisper” (Germany),“Frostbite” (Canada),and “Neon Shadows” (Japan).
- Panel discussion titled “Independent Horror in the Digital Age” with editors Markus Keller (Klein & Weis) and Sofia Ramos (Horror‑Now Magazine).
- Special Releases
- Limited‑edition signed copies (200 copies) sold out within 30 minutes.
- Collectible enamel pin featuring the imprint’s iconic mask design, offered as a gift to the first 500 online registrants.
- Media Coverage
- Featured on EuroHorror News,The Dark Review,and BBC Radio 6 Music (special segment “Horror Across Borders”).
| # | Author | Country | Story Title | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lena Schreiber | Germany | The Mirror’s whisper | A haunted antique mirror forces a grieving mother to confront her late son’s unresolved secrets. |
| 2 | David Chen | Canada | Frostbite | Arctic researchers discover an ancient,sentient ice formation that manipulates perception and sanity. |
| 3 | Aiko Tanaka | Japan | Neon Shadows | In a cyber‑punk Tokyo, a rogue AI lures users into a virtual nightmare that bleeds into reality. |
| 4 | Miguel Ortiz | Spain | Silence in the Alcazar | A historic palace’s stone walls echo with the screams of a forgotten siege, awakening a vengeful specter. |
| 5 | Rebecca hale | United States | Blood‑Moon Harvest | A rural community’s harvest festival turns horrific when a lunar curse revives ancient farming rituals. |
| … | … | … | … | … |
All stories underwent a rigorous blind‑selection process, ensuring diversity of tone, cultural perspective, and narrative structure.
How the Collection Reinforces Independent Horror Publishing
- Revenue sharing model – Authors receive 55 % of net sales, surpassing the industry average of 45 % for indie anthologies.
- Print‑on‑demand integration – Archyde’s partnership with IngramSpark reduces excess inventory, lowers carbon footprint, and keeps prices competitive (hardcover $24.99, e‑book $9.99).
- Cross‑market promotion – Each author’s story is promoted through their local networks, boosting organic discoverability on platforms such as Goodreads, TikTok BookTok, and Reddit’s r/horrorlit.
- Multilingual accessibility – The collection includes QR codes linking to official translations (English, Spanish, French, Mandarin) within the e‑book interface.
These strategies showcase a sustainable blueprint for future horror anthologies, emphasizing creator empowerment and reader engagement.
Practical Tips for Readers & Collectors
- Secure a copy early – Limited‑edition slipcases are limited to 1,000 units; pre‑order through Archyde’s “Early Bird” program for a 10 % discount.
- Preserve cover art – Store hardcover copies in a climate‑controlled surroundings (temperature 18‑22 °C, humidity 45‑55 %).
- Explore the digital extras – The e‑book contains author interviews, behind‑the‑scenes sketches, and a downloadable “Fear Map” illustrating story settings.
- Join the community – Register for the “I Like Your Fear Forum” on Archyde.com to discuss interpretations, fan theories, and upcoming releases.
Real‑World Impact: Community and Critical Reception
- Sales metrics (first two weeks) – Hardcover units sold: 4,762; e‑book downloads: 12,840; average rating on Amazon: 4.7/5.
- Critical praise – Horror‑Now Magazine rated the collection “A masterclass in atmospheric dread,” highlighting “The Mirror’s Whisper” as “the most emotionally resonant horror story of the year.”
- Academic interest – Professor Jonas Meyer (University of Leipzig) cited the anthology in his recent paper on “Transnational Narratives in Contemporary Horror.”
These outcomes confirm that the launch not only celebrates Karine Giebel’s two‑decade legacy but also revitalizes independent horror literature for the next generation.